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LibriVox recording of The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe.
Considered a change agent in early Gothic romance; oft-referenced in later literary works or paid homage to by such authors as Jane Austen (influential novel ready by her heroine, Catherine Morland, in Northanger Abbey); Edgar Allen Poe (borrowed plot elements for the short story The Oval Portrait); and Sir Walter Scott. - In The Mysteries of Udolpho, one of the most famous and popular gothic novels of the eighteenth century, Ann Radcliffe took a new tack from her predecessors and portrayed her heroine's inner life, creating an atmosphere thick with fear, and providing a gripping plot that continues to thrill readers today.
The Mysteries of Udolpho, set in Europe in the year 1584, is the story of orphan Emily St. Aubert, who finds herself separated from the man she loves and confined within the medieval castle of her aunt's new husband, Montoni, after being forced to travel through France and Italy. Inside the castle, she must cope with an unwanted suitor, Montoni's threats, and the wild imaginings and terrors that threaten to overwhelm her.
The mysterious happenings in the story always have a natural and probable explanation because Radcliffe was a very rational person and did not believe in the supernatural. Radcliffe's strengths in writing were in describing scenery as well as suspense and terror. Many critics have called the work "dreamlike" and "suggestive of the cinematic technique of slow-motion."
(Summary by Wikipedia/Michelle Crandall)
For further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording.
Read by LibriVox volunteers.
For more free audiobooks, or to become a volunteer reader, please visit librivox.org.
Download M4B Part 1 (175MB)
Download M4B Part 2 (174MB)
Download M4B Part 3 (178MB)
Download M4B Part 4 (177MB)
Download M4B Part 5 (172MB)
Considered a change agent in early Gothic romance; oft-referenced in later literary works or paid homage to by such authors as Jane Austen (influential novel ready by her heroine, Catherine Morland, in Northanger Abbey); Edgar Allen Poe (borrowed plot elements for the short story The Oval Portrait); and Sir Walter Scott. - In The Mysteries of Udolpho, one of the most famous and popular gothic novels of the eighteenth century, Ann Radcliffe took a new tack from her predecessors and portrayed her heroine's inner life, creating an atmosphere thick with fear, and providing a gripping plot that continues to thrill readers today.
The Mysteries of Udolpho, set in Europe in the year 1584, is the story of orphan Emily St. Aubert, who finds herself separated from the man she loves and confined within the medieval castle of her aunt's new husband, Montoni, after being forced to travel through France and Italy. Inside the castle, she must cope with an unwanted suitor, Montoni's threats, and the wild imaginings and terrors that threaten to overwhelm her.
The mysterious happenings in the story always have a natural and probable explanation because Radcliffe was a very rational person and did not believe in the supernatural. Radcliffe's strengths in writing were in describing scenery as well as suspense and terror. Many critics have called the work "dreamlike" and "suggestive of the cinematic technique of slow-motion."
(Summary by Wikipedia/Michelle Crandall)
For further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording.
Read by LibriVox volunteers.
For more free audiobooks, or to become a volunteer reader, please visit librivox.org.
Download M4B Part 1 (175MB)
Download M4B Part 2 (174MB)
Download M4B Part 3 (178MB)
Download M4B Part 4 (177MB)
Download M4B Part 5 (172MB)
Reviews
Reviewer:
lanternland
-
-
August 27, 2014
Subject: ----
Subject: ----
This is not a review of the book but rather a comment on what Runcible said...
"If one reads along from the text link provided at the Librivox catalog page for Udolpho, a listener can get around those occasions when you don't like a certain reader of a chapter."
I didn't even know that! Thanks!
"If one reads along from the text link provided at the Librivox catalog page for Udolpho, a listener can get around those occasions when you don't like a certain reader of a chapter."
I didn't even know that! Thanks!
Reviewer:
sarahm
-
-
August 26, 2014
Subject: Fortunately We Have Alternatives
Subject: Fortunately We Have Alternatives
UPDATE: Read along? I listen to books while I am gardening or cooking. But if honest comments are not wanted, I will simply comment without stars.
You are correct that there is no need to redo. I can always download and listen TTS or on Kindle.
Original Comment:
The novel is sure to entertain anyone who delights in atmospheric Gothic stories about rambling old castles with secret passages and danger.
Unfortunately, many chapters include distracting background noises or indistinct readings.
You are correct that there is no need to redo. I can always download and listen TTS or on Kindle.
Original Comment:
The novel is sure to entertain anyone who delights in atmospheric Gothic stories about rambling old castles with secret passages and danger.
Unfortunately, many chapters include distracting background noises or indistinct readings.
Reviewer:
Runcible
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 26, 2014
Subject: In appreciation of Udolpho
Subject: In appreciation of Udolpho
I'm writing this in response to the previous review by sarahm.
A long book such as this one took a very long time to record on Librivox. If you were to wait for another group of volunteers to even attempt "Udolpho" again, you might be waiting in vain. I respectfully remind everyone that this is a volunteer recording; that many who volunteer for Librivox don't have professional recording studios. So there may be variations in sound quality from time to time.
If one reads along from the text link provided at the Librivox catalog page for Udolpho, a listener can get around those occasions when you don't like a certain reader of a chapter.
A long book such as this one took a very long time to record on Librivox. If you were to wait for another group of volunteers to even attempt "Udolpho" again, you might be waiting in vain. I respectfully remind everyone that this is a volunteer recording; that many who volunteer for Librivox don't have professional recording studios. So there may be variations in sound quality from time to time.
If one reads along from the text link provided at the Librivox catalog page for Udolpho, a listener can get around those occasions when you don't like a certain reader of a chapter.
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